In whom do you trust and what convinced you that he or she is able to help you?
My Dad was one of my heroes when I was growing up. I marveled at his ability to tackle anything. I admired his ability to work with people. I trusted him and believed he was able to help me.
A story that reveals my trust in my Dad’s ability happened when I was about eight or nine years old. We were throwing the frisbee in the back yard. An errant throw drifted up on the roof of our home. I quickly climbed up a fence next to the house and collected the frisbee. Dad said, “Just slide off the roof here into my arms.” He was standing on concrete.
I slid. It was exhilarating! I can still remember the freedom of sliding off a roof unencumbered by ropes, ladder, or fence. More importantly, I remember the joy of trusting my Dad, knowing his word would come true, and landing in his embrace.
Why did I take my Dad up on his offer? I trusted him. Why did I trust my Dad? I knew him. The life and ministry of the apostle Paul was ridiculously rough, dangerously difficult, and he knew firsthand the loneliness of leadership. How did he navigate such hardship? When mentoring his young friend, Paul gave Timothy the secret sauce:
…for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2 Timothy 1:12b
Paul knew Jesus Christ. He had experienced Jesus’ grace and intervention in his life over and over again. Because Paul knew Jesus, He was convinced that Jesus was able to provide for and protect him in his life and ministry.
Get to know your God. Discover that He is willing to help you. Become convinced that He is able. Entrust yourself to Him. I encourage you to discover God in a fresh way this new calendar year. The more you know Him, the more you will trust Him. The more you trust Him, the more you will experience that He is able to help you in all situations.
Love and blessings,
Dave